Hands On August 2010

Ambu Aura-i Intubating Laryngeal Mask

A key to improving cardiac arrest survival to discharge is limiting the interruption of chest compressions. Securing the airway with an endotracheal (ET) tube is one of the longest interruptions. One way to limit this is to use an alternate advanced airway during chest compressions and intubate prior to transport but after the return of spontaneous circulation. The new Aura-i Intubating Laryngeal Mask from Ambu allows you to secure the airway with minimal interruption of chest compressions during the resuscitation and then facilitates intubation prior to transport. The Aura-i’s anatomical shape allows easy insertion and also eliminates the need for a tube exchange catheter. It’s available in eight different mask sizes for infants, pediatrics and adults, and the airway tube of each mask size is designed to allow optimal positioning of the corresponding ET tube. VITALS
Sizes: Eight ET
Size: Marked on bite block
Use: Single use, non-latex
Price: $8.95 www.ambu.com
800/262-8462

Buck Bravo Rescue Knife

You never know what you may be facing, but you’re expected to handle it. The new Bravo Rescue Knife from Buck offers a lot of utility in a compact package. The 3.5" stainless steel blade holds a good edge and will easily cut through fabric to expose an injury. The blunt tip is safer than a sharp point and is designed to be capable of being a light prying device. The base of the Bravo Rescue Knife has a stainless steel seat belt cutter and a small, hardened point for breaking window glass. Rubber grips make it easy to hold, and a nylon sheath keeps the knife close at hand. VITALS
Length
Closed: 5.25"
Blade Length: 3.5"
Weight: 7 oz.
Price: $105 www.buckknives.com
800/326-2825

Cyalume Lightshape

Markers It’s your worst case scenario—a nighttime mass casualty incident in the middle of nowhere. You’re the first on scene and begin triage by flashlight, but you quickly notice the scene is large and patients are scattered about. The new 3" Lightshape from Cyalume will allow you to triage, mark and keep track of your patients in the dark. Simply squeeze the dome of the Lightshape to activate the colored luminescent fluid inside. Then, peel away the paper to expose the sticky back and place it directly on your patient. You can then move on to the next patient and keep tabs on those already triaged. Arriving crews can begin moving the red tags to a treatment area without having to stop at each patient to shine a flashlight on a tag. VITALS
Size: 3"
Colors: Green, yellow, red
Duration: Four hours
Price: Call for pricing www.cyalume.com
888/858-7881

Otterbox Defender Heavy Duty Belt Clip

There are a few basic ways of organizing the gear you carry while on the job. Do you always wear pants with pockets? Or, do you load up your belt to rival Batman’s? One problem for us utility-belt wearers—sadly, I’m one—is finding a clip for our phones that holds the device securely and firmly attaches it to the belt. The new Defender Heavy Duty Belt Clip from Otterbox addresses both problems. Designed as a counterpart to the Otterbox Defender series smart phone cases, the Heavy Duty Belt Clip fits the two-inch-wide duty belt commonly worn by aspiring superheroes. Your smart phone stays in the case until needed and can be worn with the phone in either the vertical or horizontal position. VITALS
Color: Black
Requires: Otterbox Defender series case
Price: $14.95 www.otterbox.com
888/695-8820

Panasonic Toughbook 31

If you have a laptop in your vehicle, you may be happy just to have one. Or you may be carrying the model that isn’t rugged enough and constantly needs maintenance. But the list of desirable features on rugged laptop computers continues to grow. The new Toughbook 31 from Panasonic has been designed from the ground up to survive a big drop. Most devices are drop-tested from a 4' standard. The Toughbook 31 meets the MIL-STD-810G, which includes a 6' drop, shocks, vibration, humidity, altitude, rain, temperature extremes, thermal shock, and dust and sand resistance. Some of its high-tech options include Gobi2000 mobile broadband, webcam, GPS receiver, backlit keyboard and a fingerprint reader. VITALS
Size: 11.5" x 11.9" x 2.9"
Weight: 7.9–8.2 lbs. (varies by battery type)
Operating System: Windows
Price: $3,793–7,439 www.panasonic.com
888/223-1012

Ramedic Hurl-e

When people say they can’t understand how we do our job, it often stems from our requirement to deal with bodily fluids. The management of vomit, puke, emesis or ralph provides many challenges for EMS. The new Hurl-e from Ramedic is designed to collect the emesis, so you don’t need to clean it up later. It folds flat for storage but deploys rapidly—a very important feature—to allow either you or the patient to catch the spew before it hits the floor. The bottom is square, so it will stand on its own, and wire supports incorporated in each side keeps it open so it’s an easy target. A deployable strap can be secured behind the neck of a semiconscious patient to allow for hands-free collection when necessary. VITALS
Size: 2.5" x 6.5" x 0.25" (closed) and 5.5" x 6.5" x 13" (deployed)
Color: Orange
Capacity: Approximately 2,000 mL
Price: $2.25 each (quantity discounts available) www.hurl-e.com
949/610-7433 Ext. 1

Pro Software Solutions Narrative Pro

OK, class, you all know the EMS documentation mantra. Now let’s say it together, “If you didn’t write it, you didn’t do it.” Why does EMS have to document a thorough assessment for every patient encounter? Because you really don’t remember that minor injury crash from three years ago at the level of detail included in your report, do you? Let’s not forget that proper documentation enhances Medicare revenue and speeds payment processing, which helps the company’s bottom line (and your job stability). Narrative Pro from Pro Software Solutions works as an add-on to your current ePCR or paper statement form. You simply click on the options given or type your own words in the boxes provided. The report flows in a chronological format and is designed to work with any state report system on the market. VITALS
Memory Required: 5 MB hard-drive space
Operating System: Windows 2000–Windows 7
Price: $250/year/computer www.narrativepro.com
888/985-8885

Book Reviews: "Trauma Junkie: Memoirs of an Emergency Flight Nurse" By Janice Hudson

The sights, smells and sounds of responding to an emergency by helicopter come rushing back as Hudson sets the scene in Trauma Junkie. Her descriptive, fast-paced narrative puts the reader at the emergency scene where the most critically injured are treated by highly trained professionals and transported to definitive care in the fastest way possible.

Emergency vignettes are described in vivid color to emphasize the teamwork of the flight crew—the pilot and care providers depending on each other to save a life without putting themselves in harm’s way. Working long hours in close quarters, and going from boredom during downtime to high drama during a call within a few minutes, all bring the teams together to perform their duties and cope with memories. Hudson describes lifelong friendships that result from this environment, which are fairly common in this profession.

By stark contrast, she’s forced to rethink her work-hard, play-hard, life-or-death attitude when she faces end-of-life decisions. She presents a theory that Western medicine practitioners can’t seem to accept death, because of the availability of high-tech equipment, medications and procedures that overrule our ethical and financial decisions to keep the most critical patients alive. Her last chapter is especially poignant as she describes dealing with her own chronic illness and the resulting physical limitations.

Throughout the book, Hudson shares not only her memories, but also her thoughts about life, death and the ability of a “trauma junkie” to deal with the past, present and future. —Eileen Frazer, RN, CMTE